Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.

Moments ago, Sci-Fi Channel and Dreamworks made an official announcement in Pasadena regarding a much-rumored television project of theirs, something I know I'll be keeping an active eye on as it winds its way through production. Seems that Spielberg is returning to the world of UFOs with TAKEN, a 20-hour miniseries event.

In many ways, I believe CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND is the film Spielberg got into filmmaking to make. He toyed with those ideas all through his childhood, and anyone who's picked up the recent DVD reissue of the film can attest to the fact that it still hums with a passion and a sincerity that is missing not only from Spielberg's recent work, but from most genre films in general. Say what you will about the story of Roy Neary, but Spielberg meant it. It's beautiful, both funny and frightening in equal measure, with a sense of wonder that never seems to fade.

Thanks to a spy who was in Pasadena this morning at the official press conference, I can share the following information with you, straight from the source:

Production is set to begin in September in Vancouver on one of the most monumental miniseries events in television history: “Taken,” an epic, 20-hour, 10-part saga from the SCI FI Channel, Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television, and written and executive produced by Leslie Bohem (“Dante’s Peak”). Steve Burton (upcoming motion picture “The Last Castle,” “General Hospital”), Julie Benz (“Angel”) and Joel Gretsch (“The Legend of Bagger Vance”) have been cast, with additional cast members to be announced in the coming weeks. Steve Beers also serves as executive producer.

“Taken” is a sweeping, science fiction adventure that weaves together over 50 years of alien abductions into the compelling story of three families’ experiences. Currently in active pre-production, the miniseries is scheduled to air during fourth quarter ’02 as an original event exclusively on SCI FI.

Steve Burton stars in “Taken” as Randall Keys, a World War II fighter pilot who learns that the strange lights he saw in the night sky while on a mission over Germany weren’t simply “marsh gas” from swamps. Best known for his work as Jason Morgan on “General Hospital,” Burton will be seen this fall in the feature film “The Last Castle,” opposite Robert Redford, James Gandolfini and Mark Ruffalo. Julie Benz -- who captivated television audiences this past year with her portrayal of the tragic vampire-turned-human Darla on The WB series “Angel” -- stars as Kate Keys, Randall’s wife, who is forced to raise their son alone as Randall’s struggle to cope with his abduction experience drives him further and further away from his family. Joel Gretsch, who most recently played legendary golfer Bobby Jones opposite Will Smith and Matt Damon in Robert Redford’s “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” will star as Owen Jones, a ruthless, unscrupulous young Army officer who sees the Roswell crash as an opportunity to jump-start his career.

Already the largest provider of original primetime scripted series on cable – basic or premium, SCI FI has recently broadened its scope to include a brand-new slate of original movie and miniseries projects. Recently announced deals include “Kim Stanley Robinson’s Red Mars,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers,” “Clive Barker’s Saint Sinner” and the 4-hour miniseries “Firestarter Rekindled,” which just wrapped production. Most recently, the Channel announced two deals to adapt the works of Ursula Le Guin – “The Left Hand of Darkness” and her “Earthsea Trilogy” of books, as well as the Ray Bradbury-scripted “Illustrated Man” as a new feature-length film.

A couple of interesting things in there... seems they've changed the title of the new Rod Lurie film from THE CASTLE to THE LAST CASTLE. I guess to avoid problems with the Australian comedy from a few years ago. I'm delighted to see Julie Benz in a major role in this thing. Can't get enough of her.

Overall, I'm interested. Sci-Fi Channel seems to be stepping up their efforts as a content creator, finally, and there are some very interesting projects on the list of stuff to come. If handled with the right approach, TAKEN could be strong material, and it sounds ambitious as hell. It's definitely one to keep on the radar between now and its release.

Now if only I could find a way to sneak a look at BAND OF BROTHERS...